REPORT: NFL Scouts View JJ McCarthy As Potential No. 1 Overall Pick

The hype surrounding the Michigan Football program is at an all-time high heading into the 2023 season, and quarterback JJ McCarthy is a big reason why.

From a local perspective, folks in Ann Arbor are fully aware of what quarterback JJ McCarthy brings to the table at Michigan. He's got the leadership qualities, the arm talent, the mobility, and he's a proven winner in ever sense of the word. From a national perspective, however, there still seems to be a sizeable gap between McCarthy and guys like UNC's Drake Maye or USC's Caleb Williams. 

According to a recent report from Big Ten Network analyst Adam Breneman, it appears as though that perception could be changing among the people who matter most - NFL scouts.  

"According to reports last week from NFL scouts, many believe that Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy has the potential to be the best QB in the country, and possibly the first quarterback off the board in 2024," said Breneman. "Some scouts say his arm talent has more upside than any other quarterback they've scouted in next years draft, and that they believe McCarthy can lead Michigan to a national championship and take home the Heisman along the way."

Scouts & analysts are saying there could be a new best QB in college football.

And no his name is not Caleb Williams.

It’s J.J. McCarthy.

According to reports from NFL Scouts, some believe that Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy has potential to be the best QB in the country.

And… pic.twitter.com/lCUhl1fCGW

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) July 29, 2023

Although McCarthy's numbers certainly don't jump off the page when compared to guys like Maye and Williams, most believe that it is the result of Michigan's run heavy offense, as opposed to some deficiency in McCarthy's game.

In his first year as a starter in 2022, the sophomore quarterback completed 208-of-322 attempts for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns. He helped lead Michigan to one of its most successful seasons in program history, achieving a 13-1 overall record that included a road win at Ohio State, a Big Ten Championship over Purdue and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Although it isn't all that hard to see a scenario where McCarthy eventually plays himself into a first-round selection, it seems like there would have to be a significant improvement in production to see No. 9 go No. 1 overall in 2024.